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Nuance Dragon Mobile Assistant launches on Android, but only on ICS for now

Mat Smith — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:00:00 -0400

Dragon Go! has been given the elbow, with the slightly more professional sounding Dragon Mobile Assistant taking its place. Nuance has expanded on its predecessor's verbal commands, with new functionality for maps (you'll be able to bark direction requests at the new app and it'll plan the route), alongside a hands-free wake-up feature activated by saying "Hi Dragon" -- we hope you have a high embarrassment threshold. Other Siri-esque features include weather updates and dictated SMS and email responses. The beta app can be downloaded below, although compatibility is limited to Android Ice Cream Sandwich and above for now. Nuance is promising more features and increased availability later this year.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Source: Dragon mobile app, Dragon Mobile Assistant (Google Play)

CoPilot GPS app includes free offline maps with optional traffic data and turn-by-turn navigation, headed to Android and iOS

Dana Wollman — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0500

ALK (that's the company behind CoPilot Live) is no stranger to GPS apps, but it's starting afresh this week with a new application offering more features for free. CoPilot GPS, which will be available on iOS and Android, goes the way of Nokia Maps in that it stores all those millions of points of interests offline, so you don't need an Internet connection to calculate directions. Download the free version and you'll also get some requisite social networking integration, walking and driving directions, the ability to choose from up to three routes and built-in Bing and Wikipedia search functionality. The app also matches Google Maps with voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and 3D maps, but you'll have to shell out $19.99 as a one-time in-app payment for the privilege. Real-time traffic updates are also an option, but that'll cost you an additional $9.99 for a 12-month subscription. According to ALK, the app will be available for iOS and Android in early to mid March, but in the meantime we've got a handful of screens below to give you a taste of what to expect.

Gallery: CoPilot GPS

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ActiveVideo Network's CloudTV H5 links up with Siri, brings voice control to set-top boxes

Joseph Volpe — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:02:00 -0500

So you ignored the same old design and moderately bumped specs, plunked down your plastic and picked up an iPhone 4S -- presumably on the allure of Siri. Well, that bodiless, digital lady helper's about to work her concierge magic on your cable TV. ActiveVideo Networks plans to demo an implementation of its CloudTV H5 apps platform -- including iVOD, amongst others -- to bring voice navigation to living rooms via your set-top box. After routing a user's requests over a cellular network, the company's servers do the heavy lifting and deliver the intended content and search results all supposedly in the time it would take to use a remote control. We'll be sure to get some up close and personal time with this voice-based interface at CES this week and let you know how it all pans out.

Filed under: HD

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Bert and Ernie TomTom voices tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street (video)

Mat Smith — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:48:00 -0500

While some may seriously doubt their driving credentials, Bert and Ernie are the latest additions to TomTom's voice navigation library. The two muppets join the slightly more sinister likes of Darth Vader and Jeremy Clarkson, who've already offered up their distinctive vocal talents to the in-car navi. Grab your rubber duckie and see how the recording session went down after the break.

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Nokia Maps to be available for all Windows Phone handsets, sans voice navigation

Amar Toor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:35:00 -0400

Just because you don't have a new Lumia handset doesn't mean you won't be able to use Nokia Maps -- or most of it, anyway. According to ZDNet, Windows Phone users should expect to see Nokia Maps pop up as a free app on the Windows Phone Marketplace "within the next couple of weeks," though offline voice navigation feature will remain restricted to the Lumia 710 and 800, in the form of Nokia Drive. No word yet on when the app will officially hit the market, but we'll definitely keep a close eye on it.

Filed under: Mobile

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Siri gets lost internationally, promises to do better next year

Sean Buckley — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:46:00 -0400

The iPhone 4S' Siri integration may be a potential game changer, but she's not quite the world traveler some of us would like her to be. In fact, it seems she's as lost outside of US borders as any unprepared tourist. Looking for a pub in London? Better find a traditional map. Need to know the time of day in Canada? Siri admits she has no idea, go buy a watch. Business search (via Yelp), directions, and traffic data search all appear to be US-only features for now, and Wolfram Alpha only works in English-speaking countries. The automated assistant's international failings aren't too big of a surprise, however -- Apple's own Siri page outs the service as a beta, noting that some features may vary by area. Stuck with sub-par international support? Sit tight, it's coming: Apple's Siri FAQ states that additional language support (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish), maps and local search content are set to go international in 2012.

Update: Wolfram Alpha works outside the US in English speaking countries, thanks to everyone in the comments for the clarification.

Filed under: HD, Mobile

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Apple brings Siri voice control to the iPhone 4S

Donald Melanson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:17:00 -0400

You've heard the rumors, and Apple has now confirmed that it will be bringing Siri voice control to its new iPhone 4S -- and, yes, it will still be called Siri. That will let you use natural language to perform tasks like asking for a weather forecast or getting directions, setting an alarm or making a calendar appointment, and searching Wikipedia or Wolfram Alpha for information (among many other possibilities). Described as a "humble personal assistant," Siri will work in English (including the UK and Australia), French and German for now, and it'll work with all built-in apps and over both 3G and WiFi. It'll also be a beta to start with, and Apple promises that it "gets better" as it learns your voice. Unfortunately for current iPhone owners, however, it looks like Siri will only be available on the iPhone 4S (at least initially).

Update: Perhaps not surprisingly, Apple appears to have pulled the existing Siri Assistant app from the App Store. There's also somewhat curiously no mention of Siri at all on Apple's Canadian website, although the Siri app itself was never available in Canada to begin with. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update 2: Already enjoying the fruits of a voice navigated lifestyle with Siri on your iPhone? Don't get used to it, as users are receiving messages like this one indicating it will shut down for the non-iPhone 4S owning plebeians as of October 15th. [Thanks Shawn & Lloyd]

Gallery: Apple brings Siri voice control to the iPhone

Filed under: Mobile

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Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in-depth preview (video)

Brad Molen — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:22:00 -0400

Make no mistake, Microsoft isn't playing coy in the smartphone market any longer. The folks in Redmond are making a significant jump forward in the mobile arena, announcing that the upcoming version of Windows Phone, codenamed "Mango," will be heading to a device near you in time for the holidays. As its competitors have raised the bar of expectations to a much higher level, Microsoft followed suit by adding at least 500 features to its mobile investment, which the company hopes will plug all of the gaping holes the first two versions left open.

We received a Samsung Focus preloaded with the most recent developer build (read: not even close to the market release version) and we had a few good days to put it through its paces. It's still far from completion, as there were several key features that we couldn't test out; some weren't fully implemented, and others involved third-party apps that won't be updated until closer to launch. Yet we don't want to call this build half-baked -- in fact, it was surprisingly smooth for software that still has at least four months to go before it's available for public consumption.

At the risk of sounding ridiculously obvious, we're mighty interested in seeing the final result when all is said and done this holiday season. As a disclaimer, we can't guarantee that the stuff we cover here will actually look or act the same when it's ready to peek out and make its official introduction in Q4; as often happens, features and UI enhancements are subject to be changed by the Windows Phone team as Mango gets closer and closer to release. Let's get straight to brass tacks, since there's a lot of details to dive into. It'd be best to grab a large beverage (we'd recommend a Big Gulp, at least), find your most comfortable chair, and meet us after the break.

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OnStar reveals mystery partner: Google

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:16:00 -0400

Google I/O's shaping up to be a hell of an event this year. We just received word that OnStar will give a sneak peek at new functionalities it's developing for its version 2.0 Chevy Volt app with the help of Google. A major new addition -- to be demonstrated on Android, of course -- will be a navigation tab on the app's home screen that can identify your position relative to your Volt's location in Google Maps. Something that should prove handy in tracking down your car in the airport parking lot. Owners can then use their smartphone to enter their destination before even entering the vehicle. When it's time to drive, your Volt will already be setup and ready to guide you to the spot using OnStar's turn-by-turn navigation. Alternatively, users can follow the voice guidance provided by Google Maps Navigation if they prefer. Unfortunately, these 2.0 addition won't be in the app at launch this fall. Full press release after the break.

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TomTom strikes back with Darth Vader voice pack (video)

Vlad Savov — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:28:00 -0400

We guess TomTom was listening when we said it had to respond to Nokia's Own Voice app for custom turn-by-turn navigation instructions, as the Dutch company has announced a new Darth Vader voice pack. Following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Homer Simpson and Burt Reynolds, the Sith Lord has contributed his vocal stylings to the cause of guiding the lost and confused down the right path. Though it wasn't without hiccups -- check out the video after the break for the recording session -- the pack is now complete and ready for download, provided you have $13 handy to smooth the transaction. Yoda, C3PO and Han Solo packs are set to follow in the coming months. May the farce be with you.

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Google brings free turn-by-turn Navigation to UK Androids (updated)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:19:00 -0400

Talk about random gifts from the ether. British Android device owners are waking up this morning to discover their robot-themed operating system has gone and upgraded itself overnight. We've confirmed for ourselves that Google Maps Navigation -- yes, the free turn-by-turn stuff with voice directions -- has made its fully functional way across the Atlantic. This is the 4.1.1 Beta released on April 6 to US customers, but as we say, it's now working over in Blighty as well. We've tested it out on a Desire and Nexus One from HTC, with the latter offering the extra-cool option to orally instruct your Google search bar to "navigate to" your destination. Check out the gallery below for some visual edification.

[Thanks, Tes]

Update: We're now also sure the full Navigation service works on at least some Android 1.6 devices, such as the Dell Mini 5 and a reported Sony Ericsson X10 success over on the xda-developers thread.

Update 2: Numerous users have reported successfully using turn-by-turn Navigation on the 4.1.0 version, leading us to believe that the capability was in the Google Maps app all along and it's only now that the company has chosen to activate it. If you aren't yet on board, direct your Android 1.6 or above device to the Android Market and get navigating.

Gallery: Google Maps Navigation 4.1.1 Beta now working on UK Androids

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MapQuest iPhone gets free voice navigation; TomTom lifetime map and traffic PNDs now available (update: Navigon MobileNavigator 1.5 too)

Sean Hollister — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:12:00 -0400

Chalk up another two wins for cheap consumer GPS. Like Google Maps Navigation before it, the MapQuest 4 Mobile iPhone app has just now added gratis turn-by-turn voice directions... and ahead of schedule, TomTom has begun bundling its new 2010 Personal Navigation Devices, including the XL 340S and the XXL 540S -- with lifetime traffic and maps subscriptions. The latter are now available on Amazon for a $30-per-lifetime-subscription premium in a variety of increasingly feature-filled flavors, with helpful T (traffic), M (maps) and TM (traffic and maps) suffixes so you know which TomTom is which. If you prefer buying from brick and mortar, TomTom expects retail availability beginning in April. Full list of supported TomTom models and expected MSRP after the break.

Update: The 1.5.0 iPhone update to MobileNavigator from Navigon that includes MyRoutes, Facebook and Twitter integration, and Panorama View 3D is finally up on iTunes as well.

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